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Racine Co - RUSSELL, James History of Racine and Kenosha Counties, Wisconsin. Chicago: Western Historical, 1879, p 656 James RUSSELL, Union Grove, Yorkville Township [Racine County, Wisconsin], was born 16 September 1816 in Cornwall, England, came to Paris [Paris Township], Kenosha County, Wisconsin, on 04 June 1842, and located on 320 acres of land. [In 1842 Kenosha County was still part of Racine County, in the Territory of Wisconsin. Kenosha County was formed 26 January 1850. The State of Wisconsin was created 29 May 1848.] At that time there were very few settlers, game was abundant, wolves were near neighbors, and there was only one house in Union Grove [Racine County]. Mr. [James] RUSSELL met with a sad accident on 05 October 1861. He was blasting rock, when a premature discharge of powder destroyed his eyesight. He sold his farm in 1869, and came to Union Grove [Racine County, Wisconsin], in the fall of 1870. He has a comfortable home and a competency. On 15 March 1842 in England, he [James RUSSELL] married Mary Ann GOLDSWORTHY [a maiden name?], who died 21 January 1865, at the age of forty-five years. They [James and Mary Ann RUSSELL] had five children, four of whom are living: (1) Mary D.; (2) Susan; (3) James, who was a member of the Wisconsin Heavy Artillery and served his time faithfully until the close of war [Civil War officially ended April 1865]; (4) Richard; and (5) Charlotte, who died 13 October 1870. Mr. RUSSELL was Chairman of Town Board many years, and is now President of the Union Grove Company. Submitted by Cathy Kubly |